Resume Advice in a Nutshell
When designing and creating your resume, be as graphically stunning as you want, only if you are going to hand it in person to the recruiter. If you are going to email it or post it online, remember this:
- A computer will “read” your resume before a human does. The computer will parse your resume looking for key words. The words looked for will include descriptions of you personally (self-motivted, excellent writer, team player) and descriptions of your skills and experience (expert level skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; ten years’ experience analyzing and documentating component reliability).
- Here is the header from one of my resumes:
- Self-directed, productive, and experienced in curriculum design, instructional design, technical writing, and teaching/training. More than 20 years experience in various academic, technical, and corporate environments. Strong problem solving and analytic skills. Known for a clear and accessible writing style and for the ability to organize and express difficult concepts in an understandable way. Equally comfortable with soft skills and technical material.
- Then throughout your resume, include both general and specific accomplishments, knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you have Six Sigma experience and don’t say so, the computer might just filter you out.
- In sum, Make the computer happy.
- Never lie or exaggerate on a resume (or job interview).
Here is a collection of sites you can search in order to find a job. Many of these sites offer help with resumes, interviews, and searching for the job you want.
Creating a Resume that Will Get You Noticed
- Novoresume Free and paid resumes. Many ideas.
- Free resume templates
- Resume Templates by LiveCareer
- How to Write a Resume
- ZipRecruiter page and video about resumes
Help Getting Your First Job After College
- Grad’s Guide to Getting Hired A great resource with lots of advice about what to do and how to do it.
- College Grad Job Hunter Info, preparation, resumes, interviews, postings.
- Careeer advice from Monster.
- GO Jobs Stuff for beginning job seekers plus Southern California Jobs.
- Career One Stop. Ideas, advice, jobs.
General Job Sources and Advice
- CareerBuilder Jobs and tips for success.
- Monster U.S., international. Help with resume. Advice.
- DICE Tech jobs from Data Processing Independent Consultants Exchange.
- Engineer Jobs Jobs for Engineers.
- Academic Careers Online Global jobs in higher education.
- Job Bank USA Category, state, city, company. Job resources.